Trafficking suspects are snared in a deadly game

Page Tools

The ethical question we should ask is: if we knew that
Australians were about to import drugs to Australia and were going
to be caught and face the death penalty, should they have been
warned that the authorities were on to them so their families would
not have to face the coming grief ("Nine held in Bali heroin bust",
Herald, April 19)?

Alastair Browne Cromer Heights

Whatever the fate of the young Australian alleged drug smugglers
and whatever we think of their actions, their families deserve our
support and compassion. Their anxiety, confusion, grief and fear
can only be imagined as they come to terms with the consequences of
these arrests. Anything we can do as a community to help and
support them should be done - particularly by our governments.

Tony Trimingham Willoughby

If the latest crop of alleged heroin traffickers is guilty, then
its boldness is only matched by its stupidity.

Embarrassing though it is for us, we will gain from the
impounding of the drugs and incarceration of the carriers - the
heroin won't arrive on the streets and the average IQ of the nation
will rise.

J. Blackhawk Petersham

When was it we decided execution-by-proxy was the sentence to be
passed down to drug traffickers? Don't get me wrong, I don't think
these nine Australian citizens should be slapped on the wrist and
sent on their way, but allowing them to be arrested in Bali and
face what has clearly been demonstrated as a questionable legal
system shows a complete disregard for their human rights, and
rights as Australians.

If it was a joint investigation with the Australian Federal
Police, why weren't they arrested on arrival in Sydney? I certainly
hope the answer isn't that it's cheaper to try them in Bali and
either allow them to be executed or rot in an Indonesian jail.

Maybe the Australian Government wishes it could reintroduce
capital punishment, but this is just as good and is without all the
grief from those pesky civil libertarians.

Perhaps it's an attempt to placate the Indonesian Government
into releasing Schapelle Corby in exchange for some real drug
mules. Now that's a conspiracy theory.

Daniel Patmore Paddington

The nine Australians arrested in Bali should be the new pin-ups
for any government anti-drugs offensive. Facing the death penalty
in Indonesia, they are a frightening reminder that drugs can kill
you in more ways than you think.

Sandra K. Eckersley Marrickville

Stupid, stupid, stupid.

Ray Smith Blacktown

The arrest of nine Australians in Indonesia accused of
trafficking heroin is apparently the result of a 10-week
co-ordinated action by the AFP and the Indonesian police. What
terrible timing for Ms Corby to have such an arrest occur. Why such
timing? Why even undertake such co-ordinated arrests of Australians
in a country which has the death penalty for trafficking drugs?

While perhaps the ringleaders of the drug industry require the
most severe penalty, it seems barbaric and traitorous to hand
fellow Australians to a system where these foolish people, the
lowest in the rung, the couriers, may face execution. What was the
AFP thinking?

Nick Smith Bar Beach

Given Australia's avowed opposition to capital punishment, the
searing question is how will it respond to any Indonesian requests
for the extradition from Australia of anyone else suspected of
involvement with the nine arrested in Bali in connection with
heroin discoveries?

Does Australia have provisos attached in such cases, which have
to be accepted by the requesting nation?

If not, should these be urgently thought out now?

Brian Haill Frankston (Vic)

So nine Australians are allegedly caught taking drugs out
of Bali. That makes sense.

Bradley Scott Port Macquarie

The final word on Eric Bogle's influence

Gerard Henderson ("The lingering myth of Anzac Day",
Herald, April 19) declares it is high time songwriter Eric
Bogle's message was consigned to a musical graveyard, but he has
misconstrued what the message is. Bogle's song No Man's Land
does not end with the refrain "the killing, the dying, it was all
done in vain"; that is the penultimate line. The song ends: "For
Willie McBride, it's all happened again, and again and again and
again." Bogle's message and lament is that nations have not learnt
to resolve conflict without recourse to battles, true 90 years ago
and even more so today.

Far from failing to anticipate the revival of interest of
Australians in their history, as Henderson claims, it is almost
certain that with his songs Bogle has been a major influence on
arousing young Australians' curiosity in their ancestors.

Stuart Ogg Stanmore

Church communications

Congratulations to Archbishop Boniface Lele of Mombasa for the
timing of his declaration that the use of condoms in some cases is
consistent with church teaching (Letters, April 18). News of this
humble but revolutionary pronouncement has emerged since the death
of John Paul II.

Wouldn't it be great if other reformers like Lele took advantage
of this window of opportunity to speak out against the dangerous,
Dark Ages policies of the Catholic Church? Until the conclave ends,
there is no one on duty at the top to silence them.

Joan Sauers Rose Bay

Taking account of the Vatican's negative attitude to stem cell
research and the use of condoms, it's very fitting that the
cardinals communicate via smoke signals in this day of electronic
media.

Wendy Crew Lane Cove

In deference to popular culture and to remove any vestiges of
snobbish exclusivity, why can't the conclave of cardinals elect the
pope by voting each other off one at a time?

John Ridley Woy Woy

Shame, Australia, shame

I sometimes afford myself the luxury of imagining what some
people from our past might think of how we are conducting ourselves
as a nation in the 21st century. When I consider our Federal
Government's response to the sharing of the rich oil resources in
the Timor Sea with the people of East Timor, I experience an almost
unfathomable sense of shame.

What would our Anzacs think of the fact that the rich country we
have become - partly because of their sacrifices - is screwing one
of the poorest countries on Earth simply because we want to grow
fatter?

Vic O'Callaghan Springwood

The Monty Python ward

Our family was recently blessed with the arrival of our first
child. He was examined by a pediatrician during his stay in
hospital. Imagine my surprise when I claimed the rebate from
Medicare to be informed that my son was actually an outpatient,
which effectively stopped me claiming any gap payment from my
private insurance.

Which mad bureaucrat came up with this Pythonesque idea that you
can be an outpatient when you are plainly in hospital?

N. Sheridan Mt Ku-ring-gai

Carr's short-term fix

He ignores the positive effect the railway will have on national
freight movements, the many drought-affected country towns along
the way, and the deadly semitrailers it will take off the roads. To
"cry poor" by insisting all his funds are tied up in a CityRail
Band-Aid fix is cold comfort for country NSW.

The future of this state depends on visionary politicians
prepared to take risks to guarantee its long-term future. If Mr
Carr cannot be bothered moving the state forward, he should give
the game away now.

Roy L. Howarth Glebe

Cold cocoa is coming

Peter Maresch is adamant that no council is going to tell him
which appliances he can run inside his home (Letters, April 19). He
is a sort of indoors NIMBY, perhaps a NIMCAM (not in my castle,
mate). However, he'll be right in the poop in 30 years' time when
there is no electricity to heat his bedtime cocoa.

J. Archer Dural

The barbie rules

Should the Reverend Fortescue (Letters, April 19) ever attend a
typical Aussie barbie he will discover several things.

And pigs might fly

Figures released by the NSW Bureau of Crime Statistics and
Research showed rates of property crimes have almost halved since
2001 ("Crime plunges to lowest level in years", Herald,
April 19). If so, why are insurance companies not passing on the
benefits? Wouldn't it be nice for a change to see an honest insurer
now dropping its premiums.

Raymond Sanderson Hinchinbrook

A case for free speech

The incredible provisions within the Federal Government's
Criminal Code Amendment (Suicide Related Material Offences) Bill
2005 which restrict any discussion of suicide on the internet, the
telephone or any electronic equipment are an appalling infringement
of civil liberties and freedom of speech.

Government intervention in such a personal and individual
decision about one's life is bad enough, but to not even be
permitted to discuss the "idea" of suicide is shocking.

Shirley and Ken Bennett Berry

Centre's clarification

Galarrwuy Yunupingu refers to two recent papers prepared by the
Centre for Independent Studies for the National Indigenous Council
("Turning back the clock for Aborigines", Herald, April 11).
This is incorrect. CIS released one paper entitled A New Deal
for Aborigines and Torres Strait Islanders in Remote
Communities by Helen Hughes and Jenness Warin on March 1 this
year.

CIS does not undertake commissioned research for any
organisation, and in no way collaborated with the NIC in the
preparation of this report.

The intention of the Hughes-Warin report was to document and
open up the debate on the shocking living conditions of many
Aborigines and Torres Strait Islanders in remote communities, and
to suggest ways in which they may be alleviated. Its main point
with regard to land rights was the importance of secure individual
property rights to enable Aboriginal Australians to enjoy the same
housing standards and financial independence as other Australians.
That's a debate we have to have.

Keen as mustard but can't seem to cut it

A Yarra Trams spokesman, Mr Cliche, says it will give a job to
"... anybody who passes the mustard" ("Tram-crazy boy gives
passengers a mystery tour", Herald, April 19). It seems Mr
Cliche does not know his cliches from his mixed metaphors.

Graham Anderson Bundanoon

Food for thought

"The proof is in the pudding" bank ad (Herald, April 19)
does not make sense. Do they mean "The proof of the pudding is in
the eating"? Our advertising gurus must be getting younger.

Bob Phillips Tuncurry

Waste a lot, watch not

Is the ABC serious about its new 6.30pm weekday line-up? I don't
know how many cents a day it is now, but it ain't well spent. The
SBS news ratings must be rocketing.

Stephen Lusher Bondi Beach

Art of ad surfing

Does everybody tune in to the advertising cycle whenever they
change channels on the TV, or am I gifted?

Ron Elphick Buff Point

Hooray, a lolly holiday

Gregory Thiele, rejoice - Fry's Chocolate Cream bars (Letters,
April 19) are obtainable at the British Shop, Robina Town Centre,
Gold Coast, and my sister has bought them in the Blue Mountains.
Recruit holidaying friends to come to your aid.

Marjorie White Kirra (Qld)

And bring back Columbine caramels, which accompanied many a
juvenile romance. But where can I get the wonderful chocolates,
produced by Enever and Appleton and available for a penny from the
slot machines at Central Station? In the 1930s I always looked
forward to a train trip back from town with Dad. He never failed to
shell out.

Roger Gould Limekilns

Lord's their shepherd

Tom McGinness ponders the possible merger of the Atheist
Foundation and the Pedestrian Council (Letters, April 19). That may
occur in the east, but it seems unlikely in the south. Local
pedestrians seem to place their faith in a supreme being when
wandering our roads, God bless them.

Doug McLaughlin Bonnet Bay

Dear Mr Tom McGinness, I recently raised the motion among myself
that my organisation apply for membership of your Association of
Very Small Associations, but I am having great trouble finding a
seconder.

Michael Haisman National president, Society of Hermits,
Cook (ACT)

Character assassination

I now understand why some might think Desperate
Housewives could lead to social decay. After watching just 10
minutes of it I wanted to murder most of the characters.

Michael Lloyd Korora

At last, a place for a staunch defender of the truth

If ever a man deserved to be appointed Australia's chief of the
Defence Force it would have to be Air Marshal Angus Houston
("Outspoken witness gets nod as defence chief", Herald,
April 18). This man was able to show a willingness to speak the
truth when many around him buckled under the pressure exerted on
them by those who had most to hide during the disgraceful "children
overboard" incident.

Air Marshal Houston's appointment brings a glimmer of hope that
there is still a place for good old-fashioned honesty in a
Government that until now has shown a total disregard for this
honourable trait.

D. Fraser Gold Coast (Qld)

With the appointment of Air Marshal Angus Houston, and the
memory of him standing up for honesty in the children-overboard
affair, I think we can be sure he won't be another politician in
uniform.

Congratulations, Angus.

G.M. Healey Condell Park

I note that in the context of the appointment of Angus Houston
as the new Defence Force chief, our Prime Minister said his
Government was not one that penalised people for "telling the
truth".

Air Marshal Houston actively contradicted the Government's line
on the children-overboard affair; is this an admission by Mr Howard
that he and his ministers lied?

Shouldn't he and the ministers still in office involved in this
stinking sinking saga resign? Doesn't the Westminster model of
government demand this? Or, like the decision to invade Iraq, does
Mr Howard feel Australians have "moved on" from this as well?

Chris McKimm Karangi

I think we can say with some confidence that Air Marshal Angus
Houston is someone who has showed considerably greater honesty,
courage, competence and ethical standards than his employers.

Given their form, the suspicion that they wish to claim some
moral higher ground, by association as it were, because they chose
to employ him is frighteningly unavoidable.

Page Tools

Send your letters to:letters@smh.com.au
Fax: +61 (0)2 9282 3492
Snailmail: GPO Box 3771, Sydney 2001All letters and email (no attachments) to the Herald must carry the sender's home address and day and evening phone numbers for verification. Letter writers who would like receipt of their letters acknowledged should send a stamped, self-addressed envelope. Ideally, letters will be a maximum of 200 words. By submitting your letter for publication, you agree that we may edit the letter for legal, space or other reasonable reasons and may, after publication in the newspaper, republish it on the Internet or in other media.